Russia’s war against Ukraine, the intensification of hybrid threats and the deterioration of the European security environment have reshaped the requirements of collective defence. Reduced warning times, the prospect of prolonged high-intensity scenarios and increased pressure on European Allies – against the backdrop of a more conditional US engagement – have made force generation, mobilisation and sustainment central to deterrence credibility. In this context, NATO’s Deterrence and Defence of the Euro-Atlantic Area (DDA) highlights enduring constraints affecting Europe’s ability to mobilise manpower at scale.
Against this background, the study examines how DDA requirements translate into workforce challenges for the Belgian Defence. Three findings emerge. Personnel availability has become a structural limiting factor for readiness, sustainment and mobilisation. A persistent mismatch exists between operational ambitions and the current workforce model, which is shaped by long training pipelines, recruitment shortfalls and particularly high levels of early-career attrition. Survey evidence shows that retention challenges are also driven by organisational factors, besides financial considerations.
Looking ahead, sustained conflicts and hybrid pressure point to a security environment characterised by long-term strain. In this context, workforce depth, mobilisation capacity and personnel sustainability will increasingly shape deterrence credibility and resilience. The study concludes by highlighting the need to reduce early-career attrition, reinforce reserve and civilian components, and better align personnel management with prolonged crises.
For additional information on related topics, we kindly refer to the following prior RHID publications: Focus Paper Special Issue ‘Belgian Security & Resilience 2040: which societal resources to mobilise?’ of September 2023 and Focus Paper themanummer ‘Hervorming van de Reserve: naar een Belgische territoriale home guard?’ of October 2023.
(Available in English only)
Research lines: Belgium; Security and defence architecture
Source photo: BE Defence
Security & Strategy 157
Deterrence and Defence of the Euro-Atlantic Area (DDA): the Workforce at the Core of Military Effectiveness in the Belgian Defence
Lise BLOKERIJE, Estelle HOORICKX & Delphine RESTEIGNE